WASTED by Potato Head launches Collection 001

WASTED by Potato Head launches Collection 001

WASTED by Potato Head has announced the launch of Collection 001, a homeware range developed in collaboration with renowned British designer Max Lamb. Launching exclusively online at shop.potatohead.co on 4 August and in selected stores on 8 August 2025, the collection transforms discarded materials into intentional, functional objects – reimagining waste as the raw material of the future.

Rooted in Potato Head’s philosophy of “Good Times, Do Good”, WASTED reflects a lifestyle grounded in the nourishment of nature and the progression of culture. Built on years of in-house research and development, the collection represents a closed-loop, circular design system that redefines how materials are sourced, made, and valued.

Over the past several years, Desa Potato Head has radically transformed its operations, achieving 99.5% diversion from landfill and launching the Community Waste Project to expand its environmental impact island-wide. Beyond waste management, the Desa has reimagined discarded materials into homeware and furniture that merge design innovation with traditional Balinese craftsmanship.

This first instalment in the ongoing WASTED initiative is the result of a five-year collaboration between Lamb and the Potato Head team. Every piece is handmade in Bali by local artisans, blending Max’s experimental, process-driven design approach with Indonesia’s rich craft traditions.

The debut collection comprises eight distinct material families, each derived from a specific local waste stream – including recycled HDPE plastics, natural dyes made from composted organic matter, retired hotel linens, broken glass repurposed through mouth-blown techniques, used cooking oil transformed into refillable candles, salvaged ceramics given new form, composite waste materials such as Styrofoam and oyster shells, and sustainably harvested, hand-woven Balinese bamboo.

Using methods such as natural dyeing with marigold and indigo, ceramic glazing, plastic casting, traditional weaving, and glassblowing, the collection reveals the raw integrity of each material. From marbled plastic chairs and refillable candles to hand-shaped ceramics and bamboo lounge seating, these objects are both purposeful and poetic – reshaping our relationship with waste through design.

Designed to evolve in response to the materials available at any given time, the collection offers a scalable, place-based model for circular design. No two pieces are ever exactly the same, reinforcing the value of process, locality, and regeneration in every object. This dynamic, localised system holds the potential for global adaptation through regional partnerships that harness local waste streams.

“Designers have a responsibility to justify every product we bring into the world,” says Max Lamb. “With WASTED, we’re not just rethinking materials – we’re celebrating the human hands and knowledge that shape them.”

WASTED by Potato Head is more than a homeware range; it is a manifesto for conscious living, a fusion of global vision and local tradition that proves design can be both beautiful and regenerative.

WASTED by Potato Head Collection 001 will launch exclusively online at shop.potatohead.co on 4 August 8AM GMT and from 8 August at Desa Potato Head in Bali, and at selected retailers. Learn more about Wasted and Collection 001 on thewastedco.com.

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About the author

Thomas holds a university degree with a focus on Languages, Humanities, Culture, Literature, and Economics, earned in both the UK and Latin America. His journey in Asia began in 2005 when he worked as a publisher in Krabi. Over the past twenty years, Thomas has edited newspapers and magazines across England, Spain, and Thailand. Currently, he is involved in multiple projects both in Thailand and internationally. In addition to Thailand, Thomas has lived in Italy, England, Venezuela, Cuba, Spain, and Bali, but he spends the majority of his time in Asia. Through his diverse experiences, he has gained a deep understanding of various Asian cultures and communities. Thomas also works as a freelance writer, contributing short travel stories and articles to travel magazines. You can follow his work at www.asianitinerary.com

View all articles by Thomas Gennaro